June 2021 • Issue 12, Volume 11 • www.consumer-action.org
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What people are saying
Consumer Action keeps we the consumers up to date with scams to look out for and how to be more careful not to get scammed. Today they provided me with some information I needed to go forward with a lawsuit being done in which I may be able to get compensation for a scam I fell for. I am very grateful for the information they provided to me and the very quick answers to the questions I sent them. My thanks go out to them.
-Patricia Nadreau, Wisconsin consumer, via Consumer Action feedback survey
Did you know?
More than 4 in 5 voters want a strong law to protect their online data from exploitation. A recent Morning Consult survey found that 86% of surveyed Democrats and 81% of surveyed Republicans said Congress should make privacy a "top" or "important but lower" priority in 2021. Nearly 9 in 10 adults said it was either "very" or "somewhat" important to protect their most sensitive identifiable information under a privacy law, including Social Security number (89%), banking information (89%), biometric data (88%), and driver's license number (88%).
Consumer Action News enlightens about liability insurance
The latest issue of Consumer Action's quarterly newsletter dives into the topic of liability insurance, the crucial coverage that protects your current and future assets if you unintentionally injure someone or damage their property. Read more.
Webinar explores the rise of contactless payments
Three guest speakers at our April webinar on the rise of contactless payments during the pandemic helped attendees understand the security advantages of contactless payment technology, the driving forces behind increased consumer adoption, and the consumer protections to be aware of when choosing how to pay. Read more.
Hotline Chronicles: No, I don't want to sell my house!
You've probably seen the signs on phone poles: "We buy houses for cash!" During the pandemic, home prices rose and demand swelled. Now homeowners are reporting unwanted cold calls from people looking to buy their homes for cash. Are the calls illegal? Read more.
Old and new 'Lifeline' programs aim to keep low-income households connected
The recent annual update of Consumer Action's California LifeLine publication reflects a handful of changes to the program that enables nearly two million low-income Californians to afford telephone service. A new program similarly offers discounts on broadband service to eligible households. Read more.
Coalition Efforts: Outrage over vaccine patent shenanigans and a loss of FTC powers
Consumer Action often joins its allies in letters, comments and complaints calling for change, standing up for consumer rights, supporting or opposing proposed laws and objecting to corporate misbehavior, among other activities. We collect these in the Coalition Efforts section of our website. Each month in the INSIDER, we highlight some recent activities. Read more.
CFPB Watch: Collectors held to tenant protections; beware of duplicate mortgage payments!
In this regular feature, we detail recent actions taken by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). This month, the Bureau alerts Mr. Cooper mortgage customers to beware of unauthorized withdrawals and encourages tenants to learn if they have protections from eviction. Read more.
Class Action Database: Hy-Vee pays out over hijacked customer data
Consumer Action maintains a database of class actions so that interested consumers can learn more, join a pending action or make a claim. Class action lawsuits are an important element of consumer protection and can force changes to anti-consumer business practices and make bad actors return ill-gotten gains to consumers. Read more.
About Consumer Action
Consumer Action has been a champion of underrepresented consumers nationwide since 1971. A nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, Consumer Action focuses on consumer education that empowers low- and moderate-income and limited-English-speaking consumers to financially prosper. It also advocates for consumers in the media and before lawmakers to advance consumer rights and promote industry-wide change.
By providing consumer education materials in multiple languages, a free national hotline, a comprehensive website (www.consumer-action.org) and annual surveys of financial and consumer services, Consumer Action helps consumers assert their rights in the marketplace and make financially savvy choices. More than 6,000 community and grassroots organizations benefit annually from its extensive outreach programs, training materials and support. Read more.
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